Lady in the Mist - Laurie Alice Eakes [80]
His words rang with complete sincerity, as he knew they would. They were, as far as they went, the truth, if not the whole truth.
“Is that a fact?” Kendall glared at him.
Dominick met his gaze without flinching or wavering.
Kendall gave a brisk nod. “So what did you hope to learn by spying on him? Is he playing her false and you wanted to expose him?”
“Yes, sir.”
Again, Dominick spoke the truth, even if it wasn’t quite the truth Kendall meant in his question. Trower wasn’t cheating on Tabitha with another female; he was simply behaving in a manner unworthy of a man she would marry.
“Did you fight with this man?”
“No, sir.”
That would mean even more trouble if he had, or if Kendall doubted him.
He suddenly wished he held the coffee in his left hand, with his right hand dangling over the side of the chair. But he held his cup in his right, the bruised knuckle glowing purple in the light.
“You have a bruised knuckle,” Kendall pointed out, “and you had blood on you when you came in.”
“I did, sir, but not from fighting. I know better.”
“That’s not what I understood from the captain of the ship that brought you to America.”
Dominick shuddered. “My circumstances in England were much different. I was a free man there.”
“And you are little more than a slave here.” Kendall leaned forward and his tone harshened again. “Not only that, Cherrett, you are English at a time when few Americans trust the English, especially around here. If I hear that one man disappeared last night, I will have little choice but to presume you were the culprit and have you treated accordingly. Some men would likely circumvent the law and hang you.”
“I’m not involved with stealing Americans for the British Navy, sir.”
“And who would believe that? You’re caught out in the middle of the night and have blood on your clothes. That’s condemnatory behavior right then and there.”
Even the coffee’s heat failed to stave off the chill now.
Dominick nodded. “I know, sir.”
“What you don’t know is that Harlan Wilkins wishes to be mayor instead of me. The fact that my bondsman was out and about in the middle of the night is a weapon he can use against me.”
“I thought you two were friends.” The coffee he’d consumed turned to a whirlpool in his belly.
“Of course we are.” Kendall grimaced. “As much as two rivals can be. It’s too small a town not to be friends. And if my bondsman is found to be an English spy, my political future ends right here.”
The man had been good to Dominick, barring the uniform and powdered hair. He wanted to reassure Kendall that he had nothing to fear, but he couldn’t be certain Kendall wouldn’t see through his protestations.
“I expect the one of us who finds this spy,” Kendall said, “will win the next election. If it’s me, I’ll have no difficulty getting the senate seat in three years.”
Dominick set down his coffee cup. “So what will you do to me, sir?”
“Lock you in your room every night and revoke your permission to attend the Midsummer Festival.” The answer emerged so quickly, the mayor must have had it planned. “And if you get out again, I will have you whipped in the town square as an example to other redemptioners. Do you understand?”
Dominick nodded. He couldn’t speak. His stomach churned, and he tasted bile.
“Then go get yourself some breakfast and rest.” Kendall stood. “After that, please pack my bags for at least a week of travel.”
“Yes, sir.” Dominick shot to his feet. “This is a sudden journey.”
“Some unexpected business has raised its head.” Kendall smiled, but it wasn’t directed at Dominick, and it wasn’t pleasant. “And don’t think you can take advantage of my absence to break my rules again. Letty is more than capable of keeping you under her thumb.”
“Yes, sir, she is.” Dominick edged to the door.
“And Cherrett,” Kendall called after him, “be more discreet with Tabitha. She’s a dear girl who doesn’t deserve to have lost